Beauty trends to know now

New year, new beauty inspo. To help you kick off 2018 in style, we’ve quizzed our expert, crystal-ball gazing MECCA Brands and Buying team to round-up the beauty trends you’re going to see everywhere in 2018. Let’s hit it!

Trend #1: PATCHOULI­

While Rose fragrances reigned supreme in 2017, this year it’s all about Patchouli; a dark, earthy note that adds instant mystique to any accord. “I’ve seen Patchouli pop up in a number of new releases from our top fragrance brands. I’m really excited about Diptyque’s Eau Tempo—which is being released as part of their 50th Birthday celebrations in March, and 100 Bon’s Patchouli (launching in April),” says Kate Casey. Other on-point blends to look out for include Music for a While from Editions de Parfums by Frédéric Malle (May), and Promenade in the Gardens from Replica, another new-to-MECCA brand, launching in March.

Trend #2: CLEAN BEAUTY

More than an upward trend, this lifestyle shift subscribes to the theory that you not only ‘are what you eat’ but what you put on your skin (and in your hair), too. “Both at home and overseas, clean beauty has emerged as the biggest trend to watch. Graduating beyond clean skin care, it’s trickling into hair care, sustainable fragrances from 100 Bon and Ellis Brooklyn, and newness in colour like RMS beauty’s debut line-up of lipsticks,” says Hannah Heineke. “This is really a holistic approach to healthy living and general wellbeing, so we’re also seeing more brands introduce supplements into their line-up.” In skin-care news, we’re excited to announce Kat Burki is launching at MECCA in April.

Trend #3: HIGH-SHINE LIPS

When it comes lip finishes, gloss is boss. Sure, liquid matte lips have had their moment in the sun but a high-shine topcoat is set to infiltrate your haul this year. “It’s absolutely the biggest trend in colour makeup. From the US to Europe, every collection we spied on our recent buying trip is all about lip gloss,” shared Victoria McLean. Like highlighting, this youthful look lifts the face, adding dimension and a lustrous glow—not to mention serious throwback vibes.

Trend #4: SPACE-AGE SKIN CARE

Futuristic beauty goals: Judy Jetson’s gravity-defying pony, Alicia Vikander’s everything in Ex Machina and popping on some fancy sunnies to magically erase wrinkles. Anti-ageing eyewear? The future, dear friends, is now. For Dr Dennis Gross has this month launched Spectralite—a nifty little device that slips onto your face like aviators and employs red LED technology to fire up collagen production, plumping out the look of fine lines around eyes for a smoother, younger-looking visage. “Get set for devices and gadgets to take over your vanity,” says Anna Scafidas. “The likes of Clarisonic and NuFace have already changed our approach to skin care and this whole category is set to rise with exciting new releases from NuFace and a derma-roller from Omorovicza you’ll want on your wishlist.” Even more futuristic? The next wave of light-therapy treatment: blue light. “What red light is to anti-ageing, blue light will be to anti-acne—helpful in killing acne bacteria, reducing inflammation and regulating cell activity.” We can’t reveal too much more, we will say Dr D.G has some very exciting projects in the works—stay tuned.

Trend #5: HAIR GOALS

Sure, “hair” may sound a little vague but stay with us here because hair care in 2018 is going to be a whole new ball game. We’re talking seriously smart texture sprays and non-crunchy dry shampoos (aka the snooze button for hair), botanical-based newcomers such as Venice Beach’s PLAYA (launching in April), and at-home treatments like Bumble and bumble’s forthcoming in-between toner, so you can stay on top of the brass factor sans appointments. Last but not least: Living Proof returns to MECCA in April. “Living Proof really has something for everyone, and their Full Dry Volume Blast has changed my life—no more limp,” says Casey.

Trend #6: THE (EXTREME) CAT EYE

It’s time to leave the comfort zone of your go-to smokey eye, for the feline flick is back in a big, big way in 2018. First spied on the red carpet and on catwalks in New York, London and Paris, this runway-to-real-way trend is all about mod-style graphic lines, extreme wings and the true cat eye with sharp flicks across both lash lines. It’s also surprisingly wearable at all hours of the day: opt for a painterly brushstroke for daytime (we’re loving Tom Ford’s SS18 show for inspo), then dial it up with an inky top and bottom lash line for a dramatic PM look.

Trend #7: FRAGRANT HAIR MISTS

Our favourite new fragrance move: spritzing hair with a delicate scented mist that creates an intoxicating sillage with every swish of your locks. And it seems we’re not the only ones with the likes of Editions de Frédéric Malle, Diptyque, Maison Francis Kurkdjian and Byredo all set to drop scented mists over the coming months. And, unlike the oft alcohol-based regular EDTs and EDPs, these beauties are formulated especially for hair—so they create a halo of fragrance while keeping locks in check (i.e. no dryness, brittleness or frizz). Another reason to get on board? They’re the perfect way to try out a new signature without the big-ticket investment.